Archive for January, 2010

The American Humane Association’s program manager for Animal Emergency Services has deployed to Haiti to assist in an international effort to help animals affected by the earthquake. Tracy Reis, an expert responder who has participated in the rescue and sheltering of more than 12,000 animals, will arrive in Port-au-Prince Thursday as part of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti, which is jointly led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Reis will join ARCH team members in the Dominican Republic and Haiti to begin implementing a feeding program for the community dogs and to assist with immediate veterinary aid to animals in Haiti. That effort will be conducted in cooperation with the Haitian government and, in particular, with the Ministry of Environment.

“We had not considered including animals in the plans we’re working up now, but after meeting the ARCH team, we can see that it would be good to do so,” said Jean Marie Claude Germain, the Haitian Minister of Environment. “In addition to preventing deforestation and protecting our water reserves, we are also discussing the need for a vaccination program in order to prevent the spread of diseases amongst the animal populations.”

ARCH received an official request from the government of Haiti (made to WSPA on Jan. 21) asking for immediate assistance and that human resources be deployed to help with the emergency relief operation “as soon as possible.”

Efforts by American Humane include:

· Deploying Tracy Reis, program manager for American Humane’s Animal Emergency Services, to join relief efforts in Haiti, at the urgent request of ARCH’s lead agencies. Reis will arrive in Port-au-Prince on Thursday, Jan. 28.

· As the coalition’s U.S.-based resource unit leader, American Humane has responsibility for identifying volunteers from each organization in the coalition and gathering skill and resource information on each of them, in order to send the most highly effective teams to Haiti for animal response.

· American Humane was the first professional animal welfare organization to join the coalition, has donated an initial $25,000 to help fund the coalition’s efforts, and expects to provide additional funding to this response.

· American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services™ volunteers are preparing for deployment to Haiti by updating their vaccinations and receiving other medical assessments to ensure that they are fully prepared to respond.

· American Humane has notified more than 200 trained and FEMA-certified animal rescue responders on its response roster. A smaller subset of highly qualified responders will be hand-picked and may join teams on the ground in Haiti, once long-term mission objectives are determined.

ARCH’s activities to date include:

· ARCH team members arrived in Port-au-Prince on Jan. 23 and spent the day meeting with governmental authorities and local animal welfare agencies.

· ARCH members on the ground have begun assessing the state of health, well-being and needs of the animals.

· ARCH members expect to begin missions focused on vaccinating street dogs and assisting with the care of livestock.

· More than $150,000 has been raised to support the work of the coalition, including the funding donated by American Humane and other animal welfare groups that have joined the coalition.

· A vehicle has been purchased and outfitted as a mobile veterinary unit to support the response effort.

Many challenges face the team in Haiti:

· According to a veterinarian who lives and works in Port-au-Prince, the walls around many of the yards have fallen, and dogs that usually return to their owners’ homes are now displaced.

· A rough estimate, according to the veterinarian, is that about 150,000 dogs live in the Port-au-Prince area, many of which are now wandering the streets.

· He also confirmed there was a substantial population of livestock in the areas affected; most of them housed in “backyard” farms.

· A lack of security has hindered some efforts to aid animals.

· Securing a suitable site for food, water, medical supplies, etc., for animals may take time while the needs of human consumables are addressed first.

Statistics and Information:
· About 150,000 dogs live in the Port-au-Prince area.

· An estimated 600,000 head of cattle, believed to be mainly in rural areas.

“Many partners in the coalition, and those of us who were aiding animals after Katrina, are well aware that the issues the Haitian people and animals face will be long term,” said Debrah Schnackenberg, vice president of American Humane’s Animal Protection Division and director of its Animal Emergency Services program. “It is our hope that the experience we all gained after Katrina, and the partnerships we have been building since then, will be demonstrated in the number of animals’ lives we save and the Haitian families we help in the coming weeks and months.”

American Humane, in addition to more than a dozen of the world’s leading animal protection agencies, brings extensive experience in handling and rescuing animals after disasters. Animal rescue teams on the ground in Haiti are prepared to provide everything from direct rescue and veterinary care for injured animals to longer-term vaccinations to prevent outbreaks of disease, such as rabies and leptospirosis. For information on what leptospirosis is and how it affects animals, go to http://ahavod.com/watch_video.php?v=ce973dde9dcae75.

People who want to support these vital efforts and help other animals in disasters can donate at www.americanhumane.org/aes-donate. For more information, and to read our frequently updated blog on our efforts to help in Haiti, please visit www.americanhumane.org/haiti.

Animal welfare organizations formed the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) to work together to bring aid to as many animals, and in as short a time, as possible. At present, ARCH partners include: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), American Humane Association, Best Friends Animal Society, RSPCA (UK), In Defense of Animals, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Foundation, Antigua & Barbuda Humane Society, ASPCA, United Animal Nations, Kinship Circle, One Voice, Swiss Animal Protection, Palo Alto Humane Society (PAHS), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Finnish Federation for Animal Welfare Associations, and Animal Medical Care Foundation (AMCF).

For the 19th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, but could this be the last year for the Lab’s reign?

According to American Kennel Club® (AKC) 2009 registration statistics released today during a press conference at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the German Shepherd Dog overtook the Yorkshire Terrier last year and is now ranked second most popular in the nation for the first time in more than three decades.

An American favorite since the time of Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd Dog became the number one breed of the 1920s, but then slipped in popularity until after World War II.

“Labs have been America’s top dog for nearly two decades due to their loyal and gentle nature,” said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. “But the German Shepherd Dog has gained ground recently, quite possibly due to the increased attention they receive for their security efforts at home and abroad. Hailed as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog, this energetic and fun-loving breed is a loyal family pet, ideal companion and dependable K-9 partner when duty calls.”

The German Shepherd Dog isn’t the only breed Americans will spot at the airport or train terminal when they travel – Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Beagles work throughout the country to keep the homeland safe. These AKC registered breeds are used by law enforcement military and homeland security personnel for a variety of tasks ranging from border patrol, bomb and narcotics detection, to searching for missing persons and tracking down fugitives.

These four breeds were developed for various forms of hunting or herding, but the traits that made them so effective at these jobs, such as strong scenting ability of the Beagle, the eager-to-please attitude of the Golden Retriever and Labrador, and the bold nature of the German Shepherd, make them effective in their careers today.

“Despite advances in security technology, the canine and its unique abilities remain a valued resource for the military and law enforcement agencies that work to keep us safe,” said Peterson. “The loyalty, intelligence and hardworking nature which make these breeds desirable as K-9 partners in the field also contribute to their status as valuable companions in the hearts of dog owners around the nation.”

PET PREFERENCES: FIFTY OF THE LARGEST CITIES

Top trends in 50 large cities in the U.S. include:

The ever-popular Lab is slowly losing ground in some towns – more U.S. cities featured a breed other than the Labrador Retriever in its top spot this year than in 2008. The breeds responsible for ousting the 19 year national favorite? The German Shepherd ranked first in Columbus, Detroit, Honolulu, Memphis, Miami, Providence and West Palm Beach; the Yorkshire Terrier triumphed in Oakland, Tampa, NYC, and Philadelphia; the Bulldog rose to the top in L.A.; and the Bull Terrier was a favorite in Newark, NJ.
The Bulldog is a favorite in California, perhaps due to celeb owners such as Adam Sandler, Kelly Osborne and John Legend. The breed reached the top spot in Los Angeles, the only city where it currently reigns as number one. The wrinkled pooch nearly reached the top in San Diego as well, coming in at the 2nd spot.
South Florida loves its German Shepherd Dog. The breed ranks first in West Palm Beach as well as Miami, where it has held the top spot since 2002, the first year the American Kennel Club started tracking city registration statistics.
Providence is the only U.S. city where the Labrador Retriever does not factor into the Top 5. Despite ranking second in 2008, the breed dropped off the list, making room for the German Shepherd in first place, along with the Yorkshire Terrier, Golden Retriever, Boxer and Poodle.
Unusual breeds on local top five lists include the Bull Terrier (1st in Newark), the Mastiff (4th in Des Moines), the Miniature Pinscher and Shetland Sheepdog (3rd and 5th, respectively, in Richmond) and the Chihuahua (3rd in Honolulu).

PET PREFERENCES: 1999– 2009

Some of the most notable recent trends in the past decade include:

The most popular pets with the biggest increase in rankings over the last decade included the Bulldog (from 21st to 7th); French Bulldog (from 73rd to 24th); Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (from 58th to 25th) and the making the largest leap the Havanese (from 92nd to 32nd).
Working K-9 breeds favored by law enforcement and the military have shown modest gains as pets including the Belgian Malinois (from 95th to 81st), the Border Collie (from 71st to 52nd) Bloodhound (from 51st to 43rd), and the Doberman Pinscher which served heroically with the U.S. Military during WWII (from 23rd to 15th).
A trend toward easy-to-groom breeds is seen with the rise of the Mastiff (from 39th to 27th) and the Rhodesian Ridgeback (from 56th to 48th) as well as the decline of higher maintenance breeds such as the corded breeds the Komondor (from 132nd to 154th) and the Puli (from 123rd to 149th) and on the Irish Terrier (from 108th to 132nd) and Sealyham Terrier (from 138th to 157th) which require hand-stripping.
Among rare breeds on the decline are the Curly-Coated Retriever (from 114th to 142nd), the Sussex Spaniel (from 135th to 159th) and the Irish Water Spaniel (from 130th to 150th).
Even before the Obama family selected the Portuguese Water Dog it was on the rise in popularity ranked 80th a decade ago to 60th currently. However, it did make a jump from 64th a year ago when all the interest in this mid-sized, hypoallergenic breed began.

Dog lovers can see and learn more about all of their favorite breeds on Saturday, February 6, 2010, when the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship — where the country’s top dogs compete for $225,000 in prize money and the title of “National Champion” — airs on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel, 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT). You can also catch the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence honorees, which include the Golden Retriever “Robin” in the Law Enforcement category.

In February, the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, a coalition of more than 160 animal rescue groups and shelters working to transform New York City into a no-kill community, will once again shine a spotlight on New York City’s homeless pets with its annual month-long pet adoption campaign, “I Love NYC Pets” month. This year, the Mayor’s Alliance is delighted to welcome TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, as the campaign’s official sponsor. TD Bank, with more than 75 locations in all five NYC boroughs, will host eight pet adoption events throughout the month of February, featuring dogs and cats for adoption from some of the rescue organizations that comprise the Mayor’s Alliance.

To kick-off “I Love NYC Pets” month and this important partnership, TD Bank will host a morning celebration at its bank location at 42nd Street and Madison Avenue on February 3, 2010. Plus, pet owners are invited to open an account with TD Bank and receive a $25 bonus with the account.

“We’re excited that TD Bank is joining us in our efforts to promote pet adoption, and are confident that this partnership will result in an increased number of successful pet adoptions through visible community events,” says Jane Hoffman, President of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

TD Bank is one of the 15 largest banks in the U.S., with approximately 23,000 Employees and deep roots in the community dating back more than 150 years. “TD Bank is proud to sponsor “I Love NYC Pets” month and help the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals raise awareness about pet adoption,” says Brandon C. Williams, Senior Vice President, Retail Banking, New York, “When we do business in an area we truly become part of the community and try to help as much as we can when need arises.”

To encourage more pet adoptions during “I Love NYC Pets” month, Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C), an Alliance Participating Organization, will offer extended adoption hours (until 7:30 pm every day) at its three locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, and will waive adoption fees for cats older than one year.

Not ready to adopt? The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals encourages you to contact an animal shelter or rescue group in your area and find out how you can volunteer, foster a pet, or donate funds or supplies to support their valuable work. To locate a shelter or rescue group in your neighborhood, visit www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org/aboutus/apos/borough.htm .

Following is a list of upcoming I Love NYC Pets Month events: Please note that more events will be added to the February events listing throughout the month; for the most current listing of special events and regular adoption hours at each animal shelter, please visit www.ILoveNYCPets.org.

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside TD Bank at this special “I Love NYC Pets” Month event. For more information, contact Robert Shapiro at (212) 614-9653 or robert@socialtees.com, or visit the Social Tees Animal Rescue web site.

Meet some of our rescued animals, and enjoy sweets, raffles, and gift ideas for your Valentine, including hand-knitted doggie coats in all sizes. Some of our younger members will join us, so please stop by their table to make them feel good about helping to raise money for the animals. Bring your sweetie (2- or 4-legged) for a Valentine photo ($5 donation per photo). Bring a donation of new, unopened cat or dog food, wee-wee pads, paper towels and plates, or postage stamps. For more information, contact Loving Touch at (718) 224-8629 or Kittygurl22@hotmail.com, or visit the Loving Touch web site.

Meet our lovable cats and kittens transferred from AC&C and from our ongoing Trap-Neuter-Return projects. All cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, tested for FIV/FELV, and treated for parasites prior to adoption. All adoptions require a completed application and references, a home visit and drop-off, and a $75 minimum adoption donation. For more information, contact Empty Cages Collective at (800) 880-2684 or emptycagescollective@gmail.com, or visit the Empty Cages Collective web site.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, an opportunity to save the life or a shelter pet! Animals for adoption will be provided by North Shore Animal League or Animal Care & Control of NYC. ID and adoption fee required for adoptions. For more information, contact Kimmy Reilly at kimmy.reilly@credit-suisse.com.

Meet our rescued cats and kittens at this unique neighborhood tattoo shop and art gallery. All cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, tested for FIV/FELV, and treated for parasites prior to adoption. All adoptions require a completed application and references, a home visit and drop-off, and a $75 minimum adoption donation.

For more information, contact Empty Cages Collective at (800) 880-2684 or emptycagescollective@gmail.com, or visit the Empty Cages Collective web site.

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside TD Bank at this special “I Love NYC Pets” Month event. For more information, contact Mary Bruce at (646) 872-1533 or Tavi2@earthlink.net, or visit the Tavi & Friends web site.

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside TD Bank at this special “I Love NYC Pets” Month event. For more information, contact Charles Henderson at (718) 436-5163 or charles.seancaseyanimalrescue@gmail.com, or visit the Sean Casey Animal Rescue web
site.

Cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside TD Bank at this special “I Love NYC Pets” Month event. For more information, contact Robert Shapiro at (212) 614-9653 or robert@socialtees.com, or visit the Social Tees Animal Rescue web site.

Cats and kittens will be available for adoption in the North Shore Animal League America adoption van outside Community Bookstore. For more information, contact Siobhan Healy at (917) 449-2448 or siobhan@AnimalAllianceNYC.org.

The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, Inc., founded in 2002 and powered by Maddie’s Fund®, The Pet Rescue Foundation, with support from the ASPCA, is a coalition of more than 160 animal rescue groups and shelters that is working with Animal Care & Control of New York City (AC&C) to end the killing of healthy and treatable cats and dogs at AC&C shelters. To achieve that goal, the Alliance, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, helps its Alliance Participating Organizations (APOs) work to their highest potential to increase pet adoptions and spay/neuter rates, with the goal of transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015. For more information about the Mayor’s Alliance and its participating organizations, please visit www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org.

About Maddie’s Fund

Maddie’s Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation (www.maddiesfund.org), is a family foundation funded by Workday and PeopleSoft Founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl. Maddie’s Fund is helping to create a no-kill nation where all healthy and treatable shelter dogs and cats are guaranteed a loving home. To achieve this goal, Maddie’s Fund is investing its resources in building community collaborations where animal welfare organizations come together to develop successful models of lifesaving; in veterinary colleges to help shelter medicine become part of the veterinary curriculum; in private practice veterinarians to encourage greater participation in the animal welfare cause; and in the implementation of national strategies to collect and report shelter statistics. Maddie’s Fund is named after the family’s beloved Miniature Schnauzer who passed away in 1997.